System and method for providing network access to electronic devices using bandwidth provisioning

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods of providing network access information from one or more servers to a wireless device. The wireless device acquires information from the servers about available networks at a current location of the wireless device. The network information is based on a plurality of device parameters, network parameters and regulatory requirements that govern the operation of the wireless device. In addition, the wireless device may assess the acquired information for suitability for communications to be carried out by the wireless device.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technology of the present disclosure relates generally to electronicdevices and, more particularly, to a system and method for providingnetwork access to electronic devices using database knowledge ofavailable network resources.

BACKGROUND

Wireless electronic devices, especially those with a high degree ofportability while in use, are becoming increasingly popular. But achallenge for these devices is providing reliable network access.Achieving network access can be a particular problem for devices that donot have provisioned access to a default network for the electronicdevice, such as a nation-wide network deployed by a cellular serviceprovider. Also, even if the device has connectivity access to a defaultnetwork (sometimes referred to as a “home network”), a secondary networkmay be preferred in some circumstances. For instance, use of a cellularnetwork for some activities may be more expensive than a WiFi network.As another example, a corporate wireless network may be more secure thanan open WiFi access point or a cellular connection. In another example,a WiFi network may offer more available bandwidth than cellular networksunless the WiFi network is operating at or near capacity, in which casethe cellular network may offer more useable bandwidth.

SUMMARY

To improve communications capability of portable electronic devices, thepresent disclosure describes systems and methods of providing networkaccess information, including access credentials, to a wireless device(also referred to as a mobile station or MS) with the assistance of oneor more network data servers. A network data server will sometimes bereferred to in this document as a database (DB) due to the databaseservices and capabilities of the server. The wireless device acquiresinformation from the servers about available networks at a currentlocation of the wireless device.

These and further features will be apparent with reference to thefollowing description and attached drawings. In the description anddrawings, particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed indetail as being indicative of some of the ways in which the principlesof the invention may be employed, but it is understood that theinvention is not limited correspondingly in scope. Rather, the inventionincludes all changes, modifications and equivalents coming within thescope of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a communication system that includes anelectronic device and at least one network data sever.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary network data server.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary process flow carried out by the network dataserver.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary process flow carried out by the electronicdevice.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary call flow between the electronic device and oneor more network data servers.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary call flow for the establishment of securecommunications between the electronic device and a network.

FIG. 7 is another exemplary call flow for the establishment of securecommunications between the electronic device and a network.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of functions carried out by the electronicdevice and functions carried out by one of the network data servers toestablish wireless communications capabilities for the electronicdevice.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarilyto scale. Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect toone embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one ormore other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of thefeatures of the other embodiments.

A. Description of Hardware Embodiment

In the present document, embodiments are described primarily in thecontext of a portable wireless radio communications device, such as theillustrated mobile electronic device. For purposes of description, themobile electronic device may be a mobile telephone. It will beappreciated, however, that the exemplary context of a mobile telephoneis not the only operational environment in which aspects of thedisclosed systems and methods may be used. The disclosed systems andmethods may be applied to portable electronic devices and/or to fixedlocation electronic devices, so long as the device has wireless radiocommunications capability. Therefore, the techniques described in thisdocument may be applied to any type of appropriate electronic device,examples of which include a mobile telephone, a media player, a gamingdevice, a computer (e.g., a laptop computer or a tablet computer), apager, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an electronic book reader,etc. Another exemplary device is an electronics suite that is includedin a motor vehicle, such as a passenger entertainment center with one orfeatures that depend on wireless communications. Features that depend onwireless communications may include Internet browsing capability,messaging capability (e.g., email, text messaging, multimediamessaging), video streaming for watching video content, etc.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, shown is a system that includes anelectronic device 10 and a plurality of network data servers 12, labeledas servers 12 a through 12 n. The electronic device 10 is portable andhas wireless communication capabilities as will be described in greaterdetail below. The network data servers 12 may be configured as serverdevices that communicate with the electronic device 10, as will also bedescribed. The electronic device 10 may include a connectivity function14 and the servers 12 each may include a network access function 16(FIG. 2). The connectivity function 14 and the network access function16 may cooperate with each other to assist the electronic device 10 inidentifying one or more available networks 18 (labeled as networks 18 athrough 18 n) and establish wireless communications with one of thenetworks 18 so as to carry out wireless communications with otherdevices (not shown) through the network 18.

Each of the connectivity function 14 and the network access function 16may be embodied as executable instructions (e.g., referred to in the artas code, programs, or software) that are respectively resident in andexecuted by the electronic device 10 and the network access managementsystem 12. The functions 14 and 16 each may be one or more programs thatare stored on respective non-transitory computer readable mediums, suchas one or more memory devices (e.g., an electronic memory, a magneticmemory, or an optical memory). In the following description, an orderedlogical flow for the functionality of the connectivity function 14 andnetwork access function 16 is described. But it will be appreciated thatthe logical progression may be implemented in an object-oriented or astate-driven manner.

In addition to executable instructions, the server 12 may store anetwork information database 48 (FIG. 2) in non-transitory computerreadable medium (e.g., memory). The database 48 may contain informationabout the availability and capabilities of one or more the networks 18by location. Each network 18 may include one or more connectivitydevices 22 (labeled as 22 a through 22 n). The connectivity devices 22may be, for example, base stations (BS) or access points (AP) as areappropriate for the corresponding network 18.

The electronic device 10 may be configured as a multi-mode device tocarry out wireless communications using plural connectivity options,including carrying out communications on different frequencies and withdifferent protocols. For this purpose, the electronic device 10 mayinclude communications circuitry in the form of a multi-mode radiocircuit assembly 24 and an antenna assembly 26. The radio circuitassembly 24 and the antenna assembly 26 represent circuitry tocommunicate over more than one type of communication interface (e.g.,communicate with different types of networks 18 as described below).Therefore, the illustrated components represent one or more than oneradio transceivers, depending on capabilities of the implementinghardware to tune to multiple frequencies and carry out communicationsusing multiple protocols.

For example, the electronic device 10 may be configured for interactionwith a mobile telephone network in the form of a cellular communicationsnetwork. One or more the networks 18 may be cellular communicationsnetwork. Exemplary cellular communications networks include, by are notlimited to, networks operating in accordance with global system formobile communications (GSM), wideband code division multiple access(WCDMA), integrated services digital broadcasting (ISDB), high speedpacket access (HSPA), or any other appropriate standard or advancedversions of these standards. The cellular communications networks may becompatible with 3G and/or 4G protocols. Therefore, the appended figuresmay refer to a cellular communication network using 3G and/or 4Gdesignators, but it will be appreciated that such networks are notlimited to these protocols. For cellular communication networks theconnectivity devices 22 may be communications base stations that arestrategically deployed to establish communications between the network18 and the electronic device 10. The communications base stations aretypically in the form of cellular service towers, or “cell” towers. Thecellular communications network may further include one or more servers(not shown) for supporting the communications activity of the electronicdevice 10 and other electronic devices 10, such as managing calls placedby and destined to the electronic device 10, transmitting data to andreceiving data from the electronic device 10, and carrying out any othersupport functions.

The electronic device 10 also may be configured to communicate withother types of networks 18, such as a packet-switched network. Exemplarypacket-switched networks include, but are not limited to, a networkconfigured in accordance with IEEE 802.11 (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE802.11b, or IEEE 802.11n), each of which are commonly referred to asWiFi. The appended figures may refer to a packet-switched network usingthe designation 802.11, but it will be appreciated that such networksare not limited to this protocol. Therefore, it will be appreciated thatWiFi is not the only alternative network type to cellular communicationsnetworks. For example, a network in accordance with IEEE 802.16(commonly referred to as WiMAX) may be available, or connectivity inaccordance with Bluetooth may be available.

It will be appreciated that the electronic device 10 may be capable ofcommunicating using more than one standard and the illustrated radiocircuit assembly 24 and antenna assembly 26 represent the hardware andfunctionality for each desired standard (e.g., there may be one or morethan one radio transceiver and/or antenna as part of the electronicdevice 10). This type of electronic device 10 may be referred to as amultimode mobile station, or MS. For simplicity of the appendingfigures, the electronic device 10 may sometimes be referred to by thedesignator MS and the servers may sometimes be referred to by thedesignator DB.

Each of the networks 18 may allow the electronic device 10 tocommunicate with the Internet 28. An operative interface also may existbetween the servers 12 and the Internet 28. Therefore, regardless ofwhich network 18 to which the electronic device 10 establishes anoperative communication link, the electronic device 10 may be able tocarry out a full range of communication activities. These activitiesinclude, for example, communicating with one or more of the servers 12or some other device (e.g., another portable electronic device, anotherserver that hosts an Internet website, etc.). Exemplary communicationsactivities of the electronic device 10 include, but are not limited to,calls, data transfers, and the like. Calls may take any suitable formsuch as, but not limited to, voice calls and video calls. The calls maybe carried out over a cellular circuit-switched protocol or may be inthe form of a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call. Data transfersmay include, but are not limited to, receiving streaming content (e.g.,streaming audio, streaming video, etc.), receiving data feeds (e.g.,pushed data, podcasts, really simple syndication (RSS) data feeds),downloading and/or uploading data (e.g., image files, video files, audiofiles, ring tones, Internet content, etc.), receiving or sendingmessages (e.g., text messages, instant messages, electronic mailmessages, multimedia messages), and so forth. This data may be processedby the electronic device 10, including storing the data in a memory 30,executing applications with a processing device 32 to allow userinteraction with the data, displaying video and/or image contentassociated with the data, outputting audio sounds associated with thedata, and so forth.

Overall functionality of the electronic device 10 may be controlled by aprimary control circuit 34 that includes the processing device 32. Theprocessing device 32 may execute code stored in a memory (not shown)within the control circuit 34 and/or in a separate memory (e.g., thememory 30) in order to carry out operation of the electronic device 10.For instance, the processing device 32 may be used to execute theconnectivity function 14. The memory 30 may be, for example, one or moreof a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatilememory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or othersuitable device. In a typical arrangement, the memory 30 may include anon-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memorythat functions as system memory for the control circuit 34. The memory30 may exchange data with the control circuit 34 over a data bus.Accompanying control lines and an address bus between the memory 30 andthe control circuit 34 also may be present.

Another component of the electronic device 10 may be a display 36 thatis used to display visual information to a user. The electronic device10 may include a speaker 38 and a microphone 40 to allow the user tocarry out voice conversations. A user interface 42, such as a keypadand/or touch screen associated with the display 36, may be present toprovide for a variety of user input operations.

The electronic device 10 may further include one or more input/output(I/O) interface(s) 44. The I/O interface(s) 44 may include one or moreelectrical connectors for connecting the electronic device 10 to anotherdevice (e.g., a computer) or an accessory (e.g., a personal handsfree(PHF) device) via a cable, and/or for connecting the electronic device10 to a power supply. Therefore, operating power may be received overthe I/O interface(s) 44 and power to charge a battery of a power supplyunit (PSU) 46 within the electronic device 10 may be received over theI/O interface(s) 44. The PSU 46 may supply power to operate theelectronic device 10 in the absence of an external power source.

The electronic device 10 also may include various other components. Forinstance, a camera (not shown) may be present for taking digitalpictures and/or movies. Image and/or video files corresponding to thepictures and/or movies may be stored in the memory 30. A position datareceiver (not shown), such as a global positioning system (GPS)receiver, may be involved in determining the location of the electronicdevice 10.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, each server 12 may be implementedas a computer-based system that is capable of executing computerapplications (e.g., software programs), including the network accessfunction 16. The network access function 16, and an affiliated networkinformation database 48, may be stored on a non-transitory computerreadable medium, such as a memory 50. The memory 50 may be a magnetic,optical or electronic storage device (e.g., hard disk, optical disk,flash memory, etc.), and may comprise several devices, includingvolatile and non-volatile memory components. Accordingly, the memory 50may include, for example, random access memory (RAM) for acting assystem memory, read-only memory (ROM), hard disks, optical disks (e.g.,CDs and DVDs), tapes, flash devices and/or other memory components, plusassociated drives, players and/or readers for the memory devices. Toexecute the network access function 16, the server 12 may include one ormore processors 52 used to execute instructions that carry out aspecified logic routine(s). The processor 52 and the components of thememory 50 may be coupled using a local interface 54. The local interface54 may be, for example, a data bus with accompanying control bus, anetwork, or other subsystem.

The server 12 may have various video and input/output (I/O) interfaces56 as well as one or more communications interfaces 58. The interfaces56 may be used to operatively couple the server 12 to variousperipherals, such as a display 60, a keyboard 62, a mouse 64, etc. Thecommunications interfaces 58 may include for example, a modem and/or anetwork interface card. The communications interfaces 58 may enable theserver 12 to send and receive data signals, voice signals, videosignals, and the like to and from other computing devices via anexternal network. In particular, the communications interfaces 58 mayconnect the server 12 to the Internet 28.

Systems and methods of providing network access to the electronic device10 using the assistance of one or more of the servers 12 now will bedescribed in detail. The techniques may be implemented in a manner thatis independent of network subscriptions or service plans of theelectronic device 10, independent of predetermined or current networkassociation of the electronic device 10, and independent of currentradio technology used for wireless communications.

Therefore, aspects of the described techniques may be employed withelectronic devices that have no innate or previously provisioned networkaffiliation, and/or with electronic devices that have no pre-programmedor previously stored network access credentials for one or morenetworks. An electronic device of this nature is sometimes referred toas a “disconnected device” or an “edge device” due to its networkindependence and/or inability to conduct wireless communications withoutobtaining network access credentials.

B. Determination of Network Candidate List and Network Selection

The electronic device 10 may query the server 12 for information aboutavailable network options and, in turn, the server 12 may return a listof networks 18 that match communication parameters, capabilities and/orpreferences of the electronic device 10, and that may service theelectronic device 10 under any applicable government or regulatoryagency rules. The returned information may include identity and/orconnectivity information about connectivity devices 22 of the matchingnetworks 18 that are within communication range of the electronic device10. The electronic device 10 may query more than one of the servers 12for available network options to gather neighborhood network informationfrom plural sources that offer different or overlapping services. In oneembodiment, the electronic device 10 uses the returned information todetermine which network 18 to connect with in order to carry outwireless communications. The determination may include selection of aspecific connectivity device 22.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 10 may communicate with a proxyserver to request information regarding available network options. Theproxy server may be one of the servers 12. The proxy server may collectinformation from multiple servers 12 or other services on behalf of theelectronic device and return the collected information to the electronicdevice 10 in a consolidated manner. Also, the proxy server may analyzethe collected information to narrow the results to the most suitablenetwork options for the electronic device 10.

In addition to providing available network option information, theserver 12 may provide the electronic device 10 with information that isused by the electronic device 10 to determine when to re-query theserver for available network options. This information may be in theform of an amount of time or in the form of a distance from a currentlocation of the electronic device 10. In one embodiment, the techniquesdo not include an active information exchange between the networks 18(or the connectivity devices 22 of the networks 18) and the server 12for the server 12 to generate the information that is provided to theelectronic device 10. Rather, the database 48 may contain sufficientinformation to generate the information.

It is noted that IEEE 802.21 includes techniques to collect a list ofavailable networks at a location of a wireless device from aninformation server. But IEEE 802.21 has several limitations addressed bythe techniques described in this document. For instance, IEEE 802.21does not account for several device capabilities and characteristicswhen creating a neighborhood network list for a device. One of theprominent device characteristics not addressed by IEEE 802.21 is powersave features in radio devices. In addition, IEEE 802.21 services arenetwork centric in that the services relate to one network or one typeof network, and the network is aware of the presence of the electronicdevice for which the service is provided. In contrast, the server(s) 12may be unassociated with the networks 18, and offer services toelectronic devices that may be unassociated with and without an accesslink with the networks 18. Therefore, the electronic device 10 need notbe provisioned to natively operate with any of the networks 18. Also,the servers 12 may be independent of the networks 18 and may offer theelectronic device 10 information regarding different classes (e.g.,types) of networks 18.

Prior to associating with one of the networks 18, the electronic device10 may communicate with one or more of the servers 12 through anyavailable communication pathway, which may include use of one of thenetworks 18 for the limited purpose of establishing communication withthe server(s) 12.

The electronic device 10 may register with one or more servers 12. Theregistration may include transmitting a device capabilities and networkpreferences to the server(s) 12 in the form of a registration request.The registration request may include one or more of the followinginformation elements:

-   -   Device Parameter        -   Current location in a format compatible with the server        -   Type of location tracking supported by the electronic device            -   e.g. GPS, Assisted GPS (A-GPS), Skyhook        -   Speed and direction of movement, if applicable        -   Electronic device decision making capability            -   Based on processing power or features available in the                electronic device    -   Each radio protocol or interface standard supported by the        electronic device        -   802.11, WiMax, GPS, WCDMA, etc.    -   Parameters for each radio protocol or interface standard        supported by the electronic device        -   EIRP            -   Dependent on electronic device mode of operation        -   Security            -   WPA, WPA2, etc.        -   Band(s) of operation            -   VHF, UHF, ISM, . . .        -   Bandwidth support            -   5 MHz, 10 MHz, . . .        -   Support channel bonding            -   Primary channel, Secondary channel(s)        -   Power Save            -   802.11 (e.g. PSMP)        -   Preferred communication device 22 or network 14            -   A specific network service provider (e.g., a specified                company's network)            -   A specific connection device 22 or a specific network 18        -   Mode of operation (if multiple modes supported, as in white            space)            -   VHF, UHF Personal/Portable device: Mode I        -   List of sensed connectivity devices 22 in the neighborhood            of the electronic device, which may include link information        -   Resource (e.g. bandwidth) requirement or preference            -   e.g. 2 Mbps (average)        -   Subscription info            -   A specific network service provider (e.g., a specified                company)        -   Network Preference            -   Cost            -   Throughput            -   Distance            -   Preferred connectivity device(s) or network            -   Power save or power consumption            -   Security        -   Current network association            -   3G/4G, network service provider, SSID        -   User driven or electronic device driven connectivity            decision making or server driven connectivity decision            making for roaming

In response to the registration request, the server 12 responds with aregistration reply. The registration reply may indicate whether theregistration was successful or failed. After a successful initialregistration, the electronic device 10 may periodically update itsregistration information with the server 12 to keep a correspondingentry in the information stored by the server 12 in an active state. Theperiodic update may include updating any dynamic elements of theregistration request that may have changed value since the initialregistration or the last update.

After a successful initial registration, the electronic device 10 alsomay request information regarding available network resources to whichthe electronic device 10 may connect for the current location of theelectronic device 10, which is referred to as neighborhood network forthe electronic device 10. The information may be requested bytransmitting a network information request to the server 12 to commencea network information exchange. In reply, the server 12 may return aconnectivity device 22 candidate list to the electronic device 10. Theconnectivity device 22 candidate list may be in the form of connectioninformation for specific connectivity devices 22. Alternatively, thereturned candidate list may, more generally, include connectivityinformation for networks.

The request from the electronic device 10 for a list of availablenetwork resources for the current location of the electronic device 10may be based on the plurality of parameters and operating preferencesidentified in the registration request and in the network informationrequest. The network information request may include any dynamicelements of the registration request that may have changed value sincethe initial registration or the last registration update. In addition,the network information request may include one or more preferenceelements that are used by the server 12 to identify available networkoptions in the vicinity of the electronic device 10. Exemplary elementsincluded in the network information request include:

-   -   Operating parameters for each radio or network protocol        supported by the electronic device;    -   Network preference in terms of a preference for a specific        network (e.g., a network operated by a preferred network service        provider) and/or a preference for a type of network;    -   Preferences for power consumption or savings, communication        range, cost (e.g., financial charges for network use), and/or        throughput;    -   Preferences for whether decisions regarding which connectivity        device 22 to use are made at the electronic device 10 or at the        server 12;    -   Information regarding device parameters and supported radio        features;    -   A current location of the electronic device 10; and    -   Decision making capability of the electronic device 10 in terms        of computing power and software resident on the electronic        device 10 for execution.

After receiving a network information request from the electronic device10, the server 12 may use the location of the electronic device 10 toidentify the neighborhood network for the electronic device 10. Forinstances, connectivity devices 22 that are in the neighborhood networkmay be determined using EIRP of the electronic device 10 and the EIRP ofconnectivity devices 22 that are known from the database 48 to be inpotential communication range of the electronic device 10. In addition,a terrain model and/or a path propagation model may be used to determinethe networks 18 and connectivity devices 22 in the neighborhood networkof the electronic device 10.

Initially, the server 12 may create a preliminary connectivity device 22candidate list that includes the connectivity devices 22 that are inconnectivity range of the electronic device 10 and that areoperationally compatible with the electronic device 10. For instance,the preliminary candidate list may include connectivity devices 22 thatsatisfy operational requirements of the electronic device as identifiedduring the registration process. As such, the connectivity devices 22 inthe candidate list are compatible with the radio technologies supportedby the electronic device 10, operate in the bands supported by theelectronic device 10, and account for mode of operation of theelectronic device 10 (mode of operation may be most relevant for whitespace channels). In addition, the connectivity devices 22 in thecandidate list may support electronic device 10 security parameters,power save preferences, and any other operational criteria to supportbasic communication between the electronic device 10 and theconnectivity device 22.

After establishing the preliminary candidate list, the list ofconnectivity devices 22 may be further reduced based on preferences ofthe electronic device 10 as determined during the registration processand/or from the network information request. The results after applyingthe preferences of the electronic device 10 may be referred to as asecondary candidate list. The secondary candidate list may include anynumber (“n”) of connectivity devices 10 that may be suitable for theelectronic device 10. This list of connectivity devices 10 may betransmitted to the electronic device 10 for further decision making interms of which connectivity device 22, and hence which network 18, touse for wireless communications. In one embodiment, before transmissionto the electronic device 10, the secondary candidate list may be furthershortened and/or ranked based on one or more parameters, such as one ormore of: distance between connectivity device 22 and electronic device10; expected throughput; cost to the user of the electronic device 10;preferred connectivity device 22 or network 18; quality of service; andpower save criteria.

In one embodiment, the reply to the network information request may bein the form of a network information response that is transmitted fromthe network 12 to the requesting electronic device 10. In oneembodiment, the network information response (e.g., candidate list) mayinclude the following information, where (i) represents an incrementedvariable for each network 18 being identified in the response, (j)represents an incremented variable for each connectivity device 22 beingidentified for a corresponding one of the identified networks 18, and(k) represents an incremented variable for each radio communicationoption (e.g., operational channel) for each connectivity device 22 beingidentified in the response:

-   -   Network ID (i)        -   Connectivity Device ID (j)            -   Radio connectivity option (k)                -   Association parameters                -    Channel of operation (primary channel if bonding is                    used)                -    Bandwidth of operation (list of channels if bonding                    is used)                -    Technology used (e.g., WiMax, WiFi, etc.)                -   Expected throughput.                -    Min(wireless link, backhaul link)            -   Match to one or more electronic device preferences                -   Distance to electronic device                -   Power save support                -   Cost                -   Quality of service                -   Etc.            -   Next request threshold                -   Distance from current location in which to send a                    new network information request                -   Time at which to send a new network information                    request

With additional reference to FIG. 3, illustrated are logical stepscarried out by the server 12 to process a network information requestfor the electronic device 10 using the capability, preference andlocation information for the electronic device 10. As an alternative togenerating and transmitting a list of candidate connectivity devices 22,the server 12 may select one connectivity device 22 (or, more generally,one network 18) and transmit connection information for the selectedconnectivity device 22 to the electronic device 10. This alternative maybe used when the electronic device 10 is not capable or not configuredto determine which connectivity device 22 to use from a list a candidateconnectivity devices 22, or when a determination has been made to havethe server 12 make the connectivity device 22 selection on behalf of theelectronic device 10 (e.g., to assist in roaming of the electronicdevice 10).

In addition to providing connectivity information for one or moreconnectivity devices 10, the server 12 may transmit information to theelectronic device 10 that is used by the electronic device 10 todetermine when to transmit another network information request to theserver 12. This information may be in the form of a next requestthreshold in the form of a distance value (e.g., 50 feet, 200 feet, ahalf mile, a mile, etc.) and/or a time value (e.g., 10 minutes, 30minutes, an hour, etc.). If the electronic device 10 travels from itscurrent location an amount equaling a distance from the distance value,the electronic device 10 may transmit a new network information requestto the server 12. Similarly, if an amount of time equaling the timevalue elapses, the electronic device 10 may transmit a new networkinformation request to the server 12.

The time or distance next request threshold may be selected by theserver 12 to assist the electronic device either stay connected to afavorable network 18 (e.g., a network that meets or exceeds electronicdevice 10 preferences for throughput, cost, power consumption, qualityof service, or other criteria) or find a new network 18 if the currentnetwork 18 is not favorable in terms of electronic device 10 preferencesfor throughput, cost, power consumption, quality of service, or othercriteria. If connected to a favorable network 18 or the electronicdevice 10 is not travelling or traveling relatively slowly for thecommunication range of the current connectivity device 22, then thedistance for re-requesting connectivity information may be relativelyfar. If connected to an unfavorable network 18 or the electronic device10 is travelling relatively quickly for the communication range of thecurrent connectivity device 22, then the distance for re-requestingconnectivity information may be relatively short. Similarly, ifconnected to a favorable network 18 or the electronic device 10 is nottravelling or traveling relatively slowly for the communication range ofthe current connectivity device 22, then the amount of time forre-requesting connectivity information may be relatively long. Ifconnected to an unfavorable network 18 or the electronic device 10 istravelling relatively quickly for the communication range of the currentconnectivity device 22, then the amount of time for re-requestingconnectivity information may be relatively short.

The time or distance next request threshold may be further selected bythe server 12 to assist the electronic device 10 maintain its ability tocarry out wireless communications, especially when travelling and thereis a possibility is travelling outside the communication range of thecurrent connectivity device 22 or network 18. For this purpose, the timeand distance may be based, at least in part, on the speed and/ordirection of travel of the electronic device 10.

The distance or time next request threshold may be determined by thesever based on information that is maintained by the server 12 about thecapabilities and preferences of the electronic device 10 and about thenetworks 18, including the constituent connectivity devices 22 of thenetworks 18. As an example, based on the information maintained by theserver 12 and predicted movement of the electronic device 10, the server12 may determined that the electronic device 10 may be able tocommunicate with a different, more favorable network 18 if theelectronic device 10 moves a certain distance in a certain range ofdirections.

With additional reference to FIG. 4, illustrated are logical stepscarried out by the electronic device 10 to process a network informationresponse and select a communication device 22 for wirelesscommunications. When the electronic device 10 receives the candidatelist from the server 12, the electronic device 10 may use itspreferences to further shorten the list of candidate connectivitydevices 22. In one embodiment, the preferences used in this step may bepreferences that are not shared with the server 12. Rather, thesepreferences may be useful as part of an analysis of actual linkinformation with the connectivity devices 22.

The electronic device 10 may scan a channel occupied by each of thecandidate connectivity devices 22 from the shortened list to quantifythe quality of the link to each connectivity device 22. Then, theelectronic device 10 may employ a decision engine to select one of theconnectivity devices 22. Thereafter, the electronic device 10 mayassociate with the selected connectivity device 22 (e.g., by usingappropriate handshaking for the selected communication device 22) andcarry out wireless communications.

With additional reference to FIG. 5, illustrated is an exemplary callflow between the electronic device 10 and two servers 12 to carry outthe above-described functions.

Depending on security preferences of the electronic device 10 and/orconfiguration of the network 18 with which the electronic device 10 mayassociate, security credentials to establish secured connection betweenthe network 18 and the electronic device 10 may be obtained by theelectronic device 10. In one embodiment, the security credentials may besupplied to the electronic device from the server 12. The securitycredentials may be take any appropriate form including, for example, acertificate, a username and password, a phase-shifting key (PSK)passphrase, a key (e.g., public key, shared key or private key), orsimilar data item or items.

In one embodiment, following registration of the electronic device 10with the server 12, the connectivity function 14 running in theelectronic device and the network access function 16 running in theserver 12 may establish a secure tunnel for further communicationsbetween the electronic device 10 and the server 12. The tunnel may becreated in an application layer and may be transparent to an underlyingphysical layer link. Once the secure tunnel is in place, the electronicdevice 10 may receive security credentials for one or more networks 18,or one or more specific connectivity devices 22, from the server 12using the tunnel. The obtained security credentials are not exposed tothe user of the electronic device 10. The application layer in theelectronic device 10 may apply the security credentials below, but notabove, the application layer in the protocol stack.

In one embodiment, the server 12 may maintain security credentials ofnetworks 18 in a given geographic area. Alternatively, the sever 10 mayobtain security credentials from one or more networks 18 on behalf of anelectronic device 12. In situations where the sever 12 is not aware ofthe security credentials for one of the networks 18, or a specificconnectivity device 22, the server 12 may set the security credentialsto “unknown”. The “unknown” security credential setting also may be usedfor networks 18 or connectivity devices 22 that use authentication abovethe application layer.

In one embodiment, the security credentials for a selected network 18 orconnectivity device 22 are obtained by transmitting a roaming commitrequest to the server 12. Depending on a preference setting of theelectronic device 10 or the credentials to be supplied, the sever 12 mayreturn the credentials of a given connectivity device 22 or an entirenetwork 18 in a roaming commit response. In the case of transmission ofsecurity credentials for a connectivity device 22, and if the securitycredentials are not the same across the corresponding network 18, thenthe server 12 may returns a list of security credentials for pluralconnectivity devices 22 belonging to the network 18. The server 12 alsomay return security credentials for multiple networks 18 serving thelocation of the electronic device 10.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary call flow for obtaining securitycredentials for PSK based network access and FIG. 7 illustrates anexemplary call flow for obtaining security credentials for certificatebased network access. In both of these exemplary flows, one network(Net_(—)2) is found to be congested and the electronic device seeksaccess to another network (Net_(—)3).

In one embodiment, the roaming commit request to obtain securitycredentials may be sent after the network information exchange with theserver 12 and determination of which connectivity device 22 to use hasbeen made. Alternately, the electronic device 10 may proactively send aroaming commit request based on a prior network information exchangewith the server 12 and where the electronic device 10 has knowledge of apreferred connectivity device 22 in a known location.

C. Wireless Bandwidth Provisioning-Connectivity Support for“Disconnected Devices”

With additional reference to FIG. 8 illustrated is a flow diagram offunctions carried out by the electronic device 10 (e.g., functionsembodied in the connectivity function 14) and counterpart functionscarried out by one of the network data servers 12 (e.g., functionsembodied in the network access function 16) to establish wirelesscommunications capabilities for the electronic device 10. The flowdiagram may be considered to represent steps of a method carried by theelectronic device 10 and a corresponding method carried out by theserver 12. The order of the functional blocks of the illustratedembodiment may be altered and/or some blocks may be carried outconcurrently. Additionally, some blocks may be omitted.

The logical flow allows a disconnected device to attain network accessto carry out wireless communications. A disconnected device is a devicehaving no inherent, innate, pre-programmed or pre-provisioned accesscredentials to establish communication sessions with a network. In somesituations, the disconnected device also may be referred to as a“contractless” device if there is no agreement with a service providerto provide wireless communication service for the device. Due to thenetwork independence of the electronic device, the electronic deviceseeks network access credentials each time the electronic device iswithout a current network session and commences a logical operation thatrelies on wireless communications. In other situations, the device maybe capable of using a pre-determined network (e.g., a cellular network),but may seek the ability to use an alternative network for wirelesscommunications. The types of wireless communications carried out by theelectronic device 10 using the obtained network access may include, butare not limited to, Internet browsing, data communications, video oraudio streaming, messaging, VoIP calls, etc.

The server 12 arranges network access to one of the networks 18 for theelectronic device 10. The arranged network access uses the existingphysical resources of the network 18 and uses existing spectrumresources of the network 18. The existing physical resources mayinclude, for example, a wireless access point or a base station (e.g.,one or more of the connectivity devices 22). The spectrum resources ofthe network 18 may be licensed or unlicensed spectrum for which thenetwork 18 has attained use rights for the purpose of servicing clientdevices. In some situations, the network 18 may attain the use rights inspectrum from the server 12 or other spectrum allocation source.

The establishment of network access for the electronic device 10 in thiscontext may be considered bandwidth provisioning in which the server 12negotiates or brokers the right of the electronic device 10 totemporarily or permanently use network services of the network 18 so asto engage in wireless communications.

The logical operations may be employed in a variety of contexts. In oneembodiment, a source entity (e.g., a vendor) of the electronic device 10may sell or supply the electronic device 10 to another entity (e.g., acustomer, an employee, etc.). An example of this embodiment is a carmanufacturer that sells cars equipped with the electronic device 10.Another example of this embodiment is a retailer that sells or gives outthe electronic device 10 and also sells or makes available content(e.g., electronic books, movies, television shows, and/or music).Another example of this embodiment is a business that supplies theelectronic device 10 to its employees. In these embodiments, the entityselling or providing the electronic device 10 desires that theelectronic device 10 has communications capability and may arrange forthe server 12 to attend to facilitating network access. In anotherembodiment, a user has purchased or obtained the electronic device and,desiring communications capability, has arranged for the server 12 toattend to facilitating network access. Arranging for the server 12 toattend to facilitating network access may involve subscribing to aservice offered by the operator of the server 12, registering with theserver 12, paying a fee, and/or some other act. In turn, the operator ofthe server 12 may arrange with the various operators of the networks 18so that server 12 may provide access credentials to the electronicdevices 10 so that the electronic devices 10 may access one of thenetworks 18 and utilize the communications capabilities of the network18. Any business agreements between or among the operator of the server12, the operators of the networks 18, the source entity of theelectronic device 10, and the user of the electronic device 10 are notgermane to the systems and methods set forth in this disclosure.

The logical flow may begin in block 66. In block 66, the electronicdevice 10 transmits a request for network access to the server 12. Therequest contains data used by the server 12 to supply appropriatenetwork access credentials to the electronic device 10. This data mayinclude an identity of the electronic device 10 and the location of theelectronic device 10. In one embodiment, the data also includes networks18 that are detected by the electronic device 10. Other information thatmay be contained in the request or that may have been previouslysupplied to the server 12 includes, but is not limited to, communicationprotocols and frequency bands supported by the electronic device 10,affiliations of the user of the electronic device 10, and so forth. Anaffiliation of the user of the electronic device 10 may be informationabout the user that would entitle the electronic device 10 (as belongingto the user) to use the communications capabilities of one or more ofthe networks 18. These affiliations may be, but are not limited to,membership in a club, an organization, or a rewards program;subscription to a service; purchase of an item; employment by anemployer; enrollment at a school or university; acquisition of theelectronic device 10 from an authorized entity (e.g., a vendor of theelectronic device 10); etc.

In block 68, the server 12 receives and begins to process the requestfor network access. In block 70, the server 12 may determine eachnetwork 18 that is available for use by the electronic device 10 in thepresent location of the electronic device 10. Networks 18 that areavailable for use by the electronic device 10 include those networks 18that operate on a channel and with a protocol supported by theelectronic device 10.

In one embodiment, the available networks 18 are further refined byfiltering the available networks based on affiliations that wouldentitle the electronic device 10 to establish wireless communicationsusing the network services of the networks 18. The filtering isperformed in block 72. The affiliations may be pre-established useauthorizations or permissions to use the network 18, affiliations of theuser of the electronic device 10 as described above, affiliationsbetween the server 12 and the network 18, or affiliations between thesource entity of the electronic device 10 and the server 12 or thenetwork 18. An affiliation between the server 12 and the network 18 maybe an agreement between the operator of the server 12 and the operatorof the network 18 to allow the server 12 to provide the requestingelectronic device 10 with access credentials to the network 18.Affiliations between the operator of the server 12 and the operator ofthe network 18 may be established so that the server 12 has thecapability to make network access available to the electronic device 10and/or so that the operator of the network 18 obtains users for thenetwork services of the network 18. Similarly, an affiliation betweenthe source entity of the electronic device 10 and the network 18 may bean agreement between the source entity and the operator of the network18 to allow the server 12 to provide the requesting electronic device 10with access credentials to the network 18. Affiliations between thesource entity of the electronic device 10 and the operator of thenetwork 18 may be established to ensure that the electronic device 10,once provided to the user, has the capability to engage in wirelesscommunications and/or so that the operator of the network 18 obtainsusers for the network services of the network 18.

In block 74, the server 12 may filter the networks 18 surviving thefiltering of block 72 using operational considerations and may determinea single network 18 for which access credentials will be supplied to theelectronic device 10. Filtering on operational considerations mayaccount for one or more factors including, but not limited to, loadbalancing among the networks 18; predicted performance of the networks18 in satisfying minimum quality of service or throughput specified bythe electronic device 10; type of wireless communications in which theelectronic device 10 engages; channel width (bandwidth) and/orthroughput capacity provided by the networks 18; coverage area of thenetworks 18; cost of using the networks 18 to one or more of the user ofthe electronic device 10, the operator of the server 12, or the sourceentity of the electronic device 10; security features provided by thenetwork; etc. The network 18 that supplies the most favorablecombination of operational considerations for the electronic device 10may be selected by the server 12.

To assist in the determination of block 74, the server 12 may maintainperformance statistics for the available third party networks 18 toimprove bandwidth provisioning decisions. In one embodiment, eachnetwork 18 or the constituent connectivity devices 22 transmitsperformance statistics for the connectivity devices 22 to the server 12on a periodic basis. The performance statistics for each connectivitydevices 22 may include one or more metrics such as, but not limited totraffic load, number and/or identity of currently associated clientdevices, packet loss ratio, packet delay time, etc. In addition toperformance reports from the networks 18 or connectivity devices 22, theelectronic device 10 may supply reports regarding performance forcurrent or past network sessions. The performance-related metricsreceived from each source may be time averaged by the server 12 and thetime average results may be used by the server 12 to rate the predictedperformance of each network 18 and each connectivity device 22. In oneapproach, the server 12 may establish performance ratings for theconnectivity devices 22 based on the supplied metrics. The ratings maybe adjusted over time and may be used as part of the filtering processof block 74.

In block 76, the server 12 transmits access credentials for the selectednetwork 18 to the electronic device 10. In one embodiment, the accesscredentials are required to establish a network session with the network18. The access credentials may include, but are not limited, one or moreof network name or identifier of the selected network 18 (or name oridentifier of specific connectivity device 22 within the network 18), ausername and password, a certificate, a phase-shifting key (PSK)passphrase, a key (e.g., public key, shared key or private key), orother authentication data. The access credentials may be valid for alimited period of time. The access credentials are received by theelectronic device 10 in block 78. In block 78, the electronic device 10establishes a network session with the network 18 for which the accesscredentials were received and conducts wireless communications.

An advantage of the operations described in this section is that theuser of the electronic device 10 and/or the electronic device 10 itselfneed not have prior knowledge of the network 18 identified by the server12 or the access credentials for the network 18. The operations toachieve communications capability from requesting network access toestablishment of the network session may be transparent to the user ofthe electronic device 10. The user may not be aware that the process hasoccurred. The user also may not be aware of the mechanism by whichcommunications capability is established or aware of the identity of thenetwork 18 through which wireless communications are carried out.Additionally, the user may not be made aware of the access credentialsthat are supplied to the electronic device 10 and may not have amechanism to ascertain the access credentials. For instance, theelectronic device 10 may not store the access credentials aftertermination of the network session and, during retention of the accesscredentials, the access credentials may be stored in an encrypted form.

The operations described in this section allow a source entity toprovide users with electronic devices 10 and provide for a mechanism forthe electronic devices 10 to engage in wireless communications in amanner that does not involve deploying physical network resources.Rather, wireless communications are established using existing networkassets of networks 18 belonging to third parties. The networks deployedby the third parties may be wide-spread networks (e.g., cellularnetworks deployed by commercial cellular telephone carriers) or networkshaving more limited coverage (e.g., a network deployed by a store,coffee-house, university, municipality, private individual, etc.). Asmention, however, the operations may be used in other contexts, such asproviding a virtual cellular network service for subscriber deviceswithout deploying physical network resources. In this exemplary case, aprovider seeks bandwidth provisioning from the server 12 to gain networkcredentials for one or more networks 18 and the provider re-allocatesthe network credentials to client devices that subscribe with theprovider. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a server of the provider thatcommunicates with the server 12 may be considered the electronic device10.

The operations to provide the electronic device with access to thenetwork 18 may be transparent from the view-point of the electronicdevice 10 and the network 18. In one embodiment, the server 12 assumesresponsibility for ensuring that the electronic device 10 is validatedto use the network 10. This responsibility involves a bi-directionalsecurity implication. More specifically, the operations of the server 12may include validating the network 18 to ensure that the electronicdevice 10 is provided with access credentials to legitimate networks 18(e.g., networks that are known to be secure) and, conversely, validatingthe electronic device 18 to ensure that any electronic devices 10 thatare provided with access credentials to the network 18 are entitled tohave access the network 18.

D. Wireless Bandwidth Provisioning-Service Thresholds

In one embodiment, it is possible to provide a minimum level of qualityof service to the electronic device 10 through the bandwidthprovisioning described in the preceding section. Providing a minimumlevel of quality of service ensures that operational requirements of theelectronic device 10 in terms of data throughput are met. In the casewhere a provider contacts the server 12 to gain access to anotherparty's network 18 for the offering of network services to subscribingclient devices, the minimum level of quality of service can ensure thatthe provider obtains sufficient capacity to be able to service theprovider's client devices.

For purposes of this disclosure, minimum level of quality of servicethrough bandwidth provisioning is measured in terms of data unit perunit time (also referred to as a minimum data rate). The data units maybe, for example, kilobits (Kb), megabits (Mb), gigabits (Gb) or terabits(Tb). The time units may be, for example, seconds, minutes, hours, ordays. Therefore, exemplary minimum level of quality of service could be3 Mb per second (Mbps) or 1 Gb per minute. Due to transient fluctuationsin network performance, it is possible that the network 18 may not beable to deliver the specified minimum level of quality of service forevery data unit, especially when the time units are seconds. Therefore,time units of a minute or longer may be preferred and/or the data ratemay be considered an average data rate over a period of time longer thanthe data unit.

Typically, the minimum level of quality of service is available to theelectronic device 10 (or provider) for the duration of the time that thenetwork access is made available. Hence, there is no limit on theaggregate amount of data use by the electronic device over any timeperiod. In another embodiment, the server 12 and/or network 18 may placea limit on the aggregate data use by the electronic device 10 or applycharges if aggregate data use exceeds a predetermined amount.

The bandwidth of the network 18 that satisfies the minimum level ofquality of service may be a portion of the overall capability of thenetwork 18 to support wireless communications. For instance, the network18 may offer services to devices that subscribe directly with thenetwork 18 and plural devices that gain access through the server 12. Inthis case, the overall capacity of the network 18 is shared among thesedevices. The minimum level of quality of service for any one electronicdevice 10 gaining access through the server 12 may be a percentage ofthe overall capacity of the network 18. In another embodiment, theminimum level of quality of service for any one electronic device 10gaining access through the server 12 may be achieved using one or morechannels that are not used by devices subscribing directly with thenetwork 18.

Should the quality of service of the network 18 degrade such that thenetwork cannot deliver the minimum quality of service to the electronicdevice 10, then the electronic device 10 may switch to anotherconnectivity point 22 of the network 18 delivering the current serviceor switch to another network 18. In one embodiment, the degradation maybe determined by the electronic device 10 and the switch may beinitiated by transmitting a new request for network access (block 66 ofFIG. 8) to the server 12. In another embodiment, the degradation may bedetermined by the server 12 using performance reports received from oneor more of the electronic device 10, the connectivity device 22, or thenetwork 18. In this case, the server 12 may initiate steps to identify anew connectivity device 22 for the electronic device 10 to improve thequality of service.

In one embodiment, it is possible to limit the impact of bandwidthprovisioning on a network 18 for which access credentials are madeavailable to the electronic device 10 through the server. For instance,as part of the bandwidth provisioning, a maximum level of quality ofservice for the electronic device 10 may be specified. Similar to theminimum level of quality of service, the maximum level of quality ofservice is measured in terms of data unit per unit time (also referredto as a maximum data rate). The data units may be, for example, kilobits(Kb), megabits (Mb), gigabits (Gb) or terabits (Tb). The time units maybe, for example, seconds, minutes, hours, or days. Therefore, exemplarymaximum level of quality of service could be 25 Mbps or 16 Gb perminute. Also, time units of a minute or longer may be preferred and/orthe data rate may be considered an average data rate over a period oftime longer than the data unit. Additionally, it will be observed thatthe maximum data rate is not a limit on aggregate data use, except inthe limited instance of the electronic device 10 exchanging data at themaximum data rate for the entire period of time during which theelectronic device 10 has the ability to access the network 18.

The bandwidth of the network 18 that satisfies the maximum level ofquality of service may be a portion of the overall capability of thenetwork 18 to provide wireless communications capabilities.

In one embodiment, the maximum data rate and/or the minimum data rateare specified for total data directed to and transmitted by theelectronic device 10. In another embodiment, a minimum data rate may bespecified for an uplink between the network 18 and the electronic device10, a minimum data rate may be specified for a downlink between thenetwork 18 and the electronic device 10, a maximum data rate may bespecified for the uplink between the network 18 and the electronicdevice 10, and a maximum data rate may be specified for the downlinkbetween the network 18 and the electronic device 10.

E. Conclusion

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it isunderstood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scopeof the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A network data server that establishes networkaccess for an electronic device to enable the electronic device toengage in wireless communications, comprising: a communication interfaceover which the network data server receives a request for network accessfrom the electronic device, the electronic device not pre-programmed orpre-provisioned with access credentials to establish communicationssessions with a network and has no agreement with a service provider toprovide wireless communication service to the electronic device; aprocessor that executes logical instructions to arrange network accessfor the electronic device to one of plural networks that are availableto support wireless communications of the electronic device, each of theavailable networks having a prearranged affiliation with the server thatallows the server to provide the requesting electronic device withaccess credentials to the network, the logical instructions includinglogical instructions to: select one of the available networks to supplywireless communication services to the electronic device through theestablishment of a network session with the electronic device, theselection of one network made by filtering the available networks usingoperational considerations to account for one or more performancefactors relating to the network and the electronic device; and transmit,via the communications interface, access credentials for the selectednetwork to the electronic device.
 2. The network data server of claim 1,wherein the server receives a request for network access from theelectronic device each time the electronic device is without a currentnetwork session and commences a logical operation that relies onwireless communications.
 3. The network data server of claim 1, whereinthe available networks are networks that have coverage at a location ofthe electronic device and that will provide network access to theelectronic device based on a pre-established affiliation between anentity that supplied the electronic device to a user of the electronicdevice and the network.
 4. The network data server of claim 1, whereinaccess to the selected network has an associated minimum level ofquality of service for the electronic device and the minimum level ofquality of service is measured in terms of data unit per time unit. 5.The network data server of claim 1, wherein access to the selectednetwork has an associated minimum level of quality of service for theelectronic device and the minimum level of quality of service is withoutregard to aggregate data use by the electronic device for apredetermined period of time.
 6. The network data server of claim 1,wherein access to the selected network has an associated maximum levelof quality of service for the electronic device.
 7. The network dataserver of claim 6, wherein the maximum level of quality of service ismeasured in terms of data unit per time unit.
 8. The network data serverof claim 1, wherein the operational considerations include one or moreof load balancing among the networks, predicted network performance forthe electronic device in terms of quality of service or throughput,support for the type of wireless communications in which the electronicdevice engages, bandwidth, network throughput capacity, coverage area,cost of use, or security features.
 9. A method of establishing networkaccess for an electronic device to enable the electronic device toengage in wireless communications, comprising: receiving, with a networkdata server, a request for network access from the electronic device,the electronic device not pre-programmed or pre-provisioned with accesscredentials to establish communications sessions with a network and hasno agreement with a service provider to provide wireless communicationservice to the electronic device; arranging, with the network dataserver, network access for the electronic device to one of pluralnetworks that are available to support wireless communications of theelectronic device, each of the available networks having a prearrangedaffiliation with the server that allows the server to provide therequesting electronic device with access credentials to the network, thearranging including: selecting, with the network data server, one of theavailable networks to supply wireless communication services to theelectronic device through the establishment of a network session withthe electronic device, the selection of one network made by filteringthe available networks using operational considerations to account forone or more performance factors relating to the network and theelectronic device; and transmitting access credentials for the selectednetwork from the network data server to the electronic device.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the server receives a request for networkaccess from the electronic device server each time the electronic deviceis without a current network session and commences a logical operationthat relies on wireless communications.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the available networks are networks that have coverage at thelocation of the electronic device and that will provide network accessto the electronic device based on a pre-established affiliation betweenan entity that supplied the electronic device to a user of theelectronic device and the network.
 12. The method of claim 9, whereinaccess to the selected network has an associated minimum level ofquality of service for the electronic device and the minimum level ofquality of service is measured in terms of data unit per time unit. 13.The method of claim 9, wherein access to the selected network has anassociated minimum level of quality of service for the electronic deviceand the minimum level of quality of service is without regard toaggregate data use by the electronic device for a predetermined periodof time.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein access to the selectednetwork has an associated maximum level of quality of service for theelectronic device.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the maximum levelof quality of service is measured in terms of data unit per time unit.16. The method of claim 9, wherein the operational considerationsinclude one or more of load balancing among the networks, predictednetwork performance for the electronic device in terms of quality ofservice or throughput, support for the type of wireless communicationsin which the electronic device engages, bandwidth, network throughputcapacity, coverage area, cost of use, or security features.